Family who lost everything in Beach Haven fire still need beds and a home

Aside from a new home - the main things the Lemeki family needs are new beds and mattresses.

The family of nine, including seven of their eight children, are having to live with 13 other relatives in South Auckland after losing their Beach Haven home and all their belongings in a fire last week.

Birkdale Beach Haven community project manager Carla Van Walen said bunk beds would be perfect for the kids who would share a room in their new house.

Van Walen said the support from the community so far had been wonderful.

As well as the more than 50 large boxes of goods donated, Spark had given the family new mobile phones and the children's rugby team were planning on organising a fundraiser at the weekend.

Any excess goods the community received would be given to Shine, a charity that works with those affected by family violence.

With the approval of the Lemeki family, the community was also setting up a Givealittle page for those who wanted to donate.

Van Walen said with all the support received by the time the family was offered a home she was hopeful they would have ticked all the boxes of what was needed.

Yesterday Housing New Zealand regional manager Neil Adams said he hoped the family, who had been living in a state house, would be rehoused soon.

"We'll continue to work with them to find a more permanent home."

Mafi Lemeki said HNZ called her this afternoon - for the first time since she filled out a form on Friday.

HNZ was contacted for an update on the situation this morning. A spokesperson said an official comment would be ready later this afternoon.